OMAHA, Neb. — UConn’s freshman sensation Liam McNeeley experienced an intense atmosphere during the Huskies’ matchup against No. 24 Creighton on Tuesday night, and he thrived in it. McNeeley delivered one of the standout performances of the college basketball season, scoring a personal best of 38 points, leading UConn to a 70-66 victory.
“I had a blast,” McNeeley stated. “Energy feeds energy, and I was really feeling it.”
His enthusiasm was fueled in part by the Creighton student body, who have consistently heckled UConn’s coach Dan Hurley during games since the team returned to the Big East in 2020. “A lot of student sections have begun chanting a three-word phrase aimed at our coach, both before and during the game,” McNeeley shared, referring to some inappropriate remarks. “When they take a jab at the coach, it’s like a jab at all of us, and it definitely motivates me.”
Standing at 6-foot-7, McNeeley is adjusting to a point-forward position after returning from an ankle injury that had kept him sidelined for eight games. Point guard Hassan Diarra was also limited by a knee issue, playing only seven minutes against the Bluejays. McNeeley got the game going for UConn by sinking the first of his five 3-pointers from ten attempts and ended the night with a shooting line of 12 of 22 while grabbing 10 rebounds. “Once I got that first shot off, my confidence soared,” he added.
Coach Hurley emphasized McNeeley’s impact on the team’s potential, declaring that when he’s healthy and in the zone, UConn can rank among the nation’s top 10 to 12 teams. Without McNeeley in the lineup, the team had a record of 5-3 and recently fell out of the AP Top 25 for the first time since the 2022-23 season began. “He’s definitely a top-10 pick for the NBA draft,” Hurley remarked. “No freshman has showcased such an impressive performance in a hostile environment against a highly-ranked team like this.”
McNeeley showcased his skills effectively, hitting consecutive 3-pointers and executing a dunk following a steal to give the Huskies their first lead during the second half. After Creighton called a timeout, he celebrated by pumping his fist and engaging with the UConn supporters, all while drawing attention from the opposing section.
The game culminated with McNeeley securing a critical rebound, drawing a foul, and successfully making two free throws with only four seconds remaining, prompting many fans to leave early. Reflecting on the atmosphere, he commented, “I thought the gym became really quiet. At first, it was so loud, but it felt like the crowd went silent pretty quickly.”
